Distribution

Distributed generation is a concept where more and more people start to provide not only their own power, but share it with other people on the grid. It’s sort of the “dream” of the smart grid. And the thing that detractors from distributed generation are often times saying is these alternative sources of energy aren’t always available. So, when the winds blowing, may not be when the air conditioner is asking for the electricity. So what we need to remember is… continue reading or watch video>>

… People commonly confuse between transmission and distribution and believe them to be synonyms but these terms are as different as chalk and cheese. This article will highlight the features of both transmission and distribution to make the concepts clear to the readers…. continue reading>>

…The most pronounced difference between generation versus transmission and distribution facilities in the “269” standard are the two separate sets of hazardous energy control or lockout/tagout requirements—one for generation and one for transmission and distribution….read more>>

Transmission And Distribution…Delivering electricity is a complex task. Behind it lies a series of highly technical functions such as the generation of power, its transmission, and its final distribution to the customer.continue reading>>

Interview with Shahram Mehraban, Global Head of Smart Grid and Industrial at Intel, to find out more about this proof of concept (POC).

Val: What are the primary challenges for integrating renewable energy into the grid?

Shahram: There are many challenges for integrating renewable energy into the electric grid, especially distributed, renewable energy like rooftop Photovoltaics (PV). The main difference between renewable energy and traditional bulk energy generation (coal, hydro, nuclear) involves power quality and intermittency. Due in part to various government incentives over the past decade or so, there is a high penetration of rooftop PV installations for residential consumption in Germany. On sunny days, a large percentage of residential electricity generation in Germany comes from solar, which is a good thing for the environment. But this also creates problems for electric infrastructure as excess power from each home flows upstream into the grid. The grid in Germany is not configured to handle such a large a number of distributed energy sources and overcapacity in the substations can cause brownouts. continue reading>>blogs.intel.com

Although CHP systems have dramatically higher efficiencies than grid power combined with simple natural gas combustion, and they result in much lower greenhouse gas emissions, barriers currently limit their application. Electric utilities often cite safety concerns as a barrier to deployment, specifically, perceived risks related to electricity being added to the grid outside of the central power plant. For example, some utilities cite the concern… continue reading>>

THE POLITICAL AND TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATIONilsr.org

…The cornerstone of the distributed generation revolution is its potential democratizing influence on the electric grid, the opportunity unlocked for local ownership and the coincident political support for more renewable energy. In no place is that clearer than in the public support for renewable energy. continue reading>>

THE WORLD NEEDS DISTRIBUTED GENERATION THAT IS CLEAN AND CONTINUOUSHistorically, distributed generation meant combustion generators (e.g. diesel gensets). They were affordable, and in some cases reliable, but they were not clean. While many people will tolerate dirty generation thousands of miles away from them, they think twice when it is outside their bedroom window or office door.

Recently, solar has become a popular distributed generation option. Although the output is clean it is also intermittent, making it an incomplete strategy for businesses that need power around the clock, including when the sun is not shining. continue reading>>bloomenergy.com

… In order to capitalize on recent energy advances, states, regulators, and the federal government must bring the inherent benefits of generating power from on-site renewable energy — what’s called distributed generation — to more Americans. Transitioning our grid… continue reading>>renewableenergyworld.com

MICROGRIDSOne distributed generation technology that is increasingly being examined is natural gas powered microgrids. A microgrid is a small power system composed of one or more generation units that can be operated in conjunction with or independently from the bulk transmission system.[10] Microgrids offer the potential to more readily integrate distributed renewable and non-renewable power with energy storage. www.c2es.org